Gazans in Peril: No Sanctuary in Sight Amid Continuous Israeli Air Assaults

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In a relentless spate of Israeli airstrikes that commenced early Thursday, even areas in southern Gaza, previously deemed safe havens by Israel, were targeted. This escalating violence has intensified the already pervasive sense of insecurity among the over 2 million Palestinian inhabitants of the Gaza Strip.

For nearly a fortnight since the onset of hostilities, triggered by Hamas’ extensive offensive in several southern Israeli towns, Israel’s air campaign has continuously pounded this highly congested enclave. Even following Israeli directives to Palestinians to vacate the north and move to supposed “safe zones” in the south, aerial bombardments have persisted throughout the region.

Israel’s decision to permit Egypt to send limited humanitarian relief to Gaza on Wednesday marked the initial easing of a grueling 11-day blockade. Facing scarcity, many among the 2.3 million residents have been forced to subsist on a single meal per day and resort to consuming contaminated water.

As international condemnation escalated following an explosion at al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, U.S. President Joe Biden arrived in Israel with the aim of averting an expanded regional conflict. Controversy ensued over the cause of the fatal hospital blast. While Hamas officials attributed it to an Israeli airstrike, Israel refuted this, presenting an array of evidence suggesting the explosion was an accidental rocket discharge by Islamic Jihad, another militant faction in Gaza. These claims remain uncorroborated by independent sources.

Footage from the calamitous event displayed a landscape littered with mutilated bodies, many of them minors. Amid dire shortages of medical supplies, emergency surgeries were frequently conducted directly on hospital floors, frequently without anesthesia.

With approximately half of Gaza’s populace displaced, many have sought refuge in U.N. schools or with relatives. Residential areas, both north and south, experienced ongoing Israeli air attacks. In Khan Younis, located in southern Gaza, the Interior Ministry under Hamas reported unceasing airstrikes, with Nasser Hospital confirming the arrival of at least 12 deceased and 40 injured individuals.

While Israel justified its air raids as targeted efforts to eliminate Hamas militants, who it argues are embedded within the civilian community, the incessant strikes have left Gazans in a state of constant peril.

Amid this dire situation, a fragile agreement has been reached to commence the delivery of humanitarian aid, as healthcare institutions within the isolated strip are on the brink of collapse. President Biden announced that, upon agreement from Egypt’s president, the Rafah crossing would be opened to facilitate the entry of an initial convoy of 20 trucks loaded with relief materials. However, the road remains impaired due to previous Israeli bombings, complicating the aid delivery process.

The volatile conflict has also seen surges of violence involving Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, heightening concerns that the confrontation may expand regionally. Meanwhile, a considerable number of Palestinian casualties have been reported in the West Bank since the conflict’s inception, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

During his brief sojourn, President Biden attempted to harmonize U.S. backing for Israel with the need to mollify rising trepidation among Arab allies. He pledged $100 million in humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in both Gaza and the West Bank.

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Contributions to this report were made by Nessman from Jerusalem and Kullab from Baghdad. Additional input was provided by Big Big News journalists Amy Teibel and Isabel Debre in Jerusalem; Samy Magdy and Jack Jeffrey in Cairo; and Ashraf Sweilam in el-Arish, Egypt.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Gaza Crisis

More about Gaza Crisis

• Gaza Crisis Overview
• Humanitarian Aid in Gaza
• U.S. Involvement in Gaza-Israel Conflict
• The Role of Egypt in Gaza Crisis
• Israeli Military Operations in Gaza
• Palestinian Health Ministry Reports
• Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza
• West Bank Violence Amid Gaza Crisis
• Hezbollah and Israel Tensions
• International Humanitarian Law and Gaza